Unique ways of celebrating Dussehra in different states of India

Dussehra, also known as 'Vijayadashami', 'Dasara' or 'Dashain', is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year.

It is celebrated vigorously all across the country, with festivities involving lights, decorations, food, and colourful dresses. However, the celebrations vary across the different regions of the country.

Let's take a look

Mysore witnesses one of the most spectacular Dussehra celebrations in the country. Known as Mysuru Dasara, people celebrate Goddess Chamundeswari, another avatar of Goddess Durga, as the vanquisher of Mahishasura.

The Mysore palace is beautifully illuminated, with 1,00,000 bulbs lighting up the grand building. During this procession, 12 trained elephants adorned with colourful attire are taken around the streets. One of them carries Chamundeshwari’s idol atop a golden mandap. The procession starts from the Mysore Palace to Bannimantap. Performances like traditional dances, musicals, and displays of swordsmanship can be witnessed throughout the procession – indeed a sight to behold. As it travels through the city streets, it spreads zeal and joy throughout the city.
 

In the 17th century, local King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Raghunath, an avatar of Lord Ram, on his throne on Dussehra and from then onwards God Raghunath was declared as the ruling deity of the Kullu Valley.

The Dhalpur maidan, which is the major hub for celebrations, is beautifully decorated with flowers and lights.

The celebrations start with an idol of Goddess Hadimba being carried from the temple in Manali to the palace of the royal family in Kullu.

From there, the idol is carried to Dhalpur, along with an idol of Lord Ragunath, where they stay till the end of the festivities along with idols of other Gods and Goddesses.

The maidan sees many cultural performances, fairs and exhibitions. On the last day, the idols are carried on a chariot to the Beas river, where they are immersed.
 

West Bengal celebrates Vijaydashami, which commemorates the tenth day of the famed Durga Puja festival. The festival celebrates Goddess Durga's defeat of the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Vijaydashami marks the end of the Puja celebrations. On this day, married women offer sindoor to the Goddess, followed by sweets and betel leaves. This is followed by the women putting Sindoor on each other's cheeks. At night, after one final goodbye, the idols are taken to nearby rivers or the ocean to be immersed.
 

In the colorful state of Gujarat, Dussehra is celebrated as Navratra. Garba is the prime ingredient of this festival in this state, which is the very famous folk dance of Gujarat. It is the main attraction of the festival that brings people close and make them tune on the folk songs with multi-colored sticks. Garba is played throughout the night after worshiping Goddess Durga. For playing Garba, men and women wear traditional attires that are Lehnga Choli for women and Kedia for men. 
 

Tamil Nadu state celebrates the festival in an entirely different way. They bring a special religious feel in this festival by worshiping Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Almost each house of Tamil Nadu arranges the popular doll shows during Dussehra. At this time, married women invite each to their homes in the evenings and gift them accessories related to matrimonial symbols. They also offer coconut, betel nuts and money to each other.